Olympus SP-820UZ - A Compact With 40X Zoom!

[Zoot]

New from Olympus:


http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_digital-camera_sp-820uz_26033.htm?olycmp=246035

[Blinky]

These are improving all the while, lightweight and great range of zoom capabilitys.

[RockArea]

A 40x zoom sounds impressive but a with no viewfinder (just an LCD screen) I can't see that it will be very easy to use that power. The Nikon P7100 was top of the shortlist for my next compact but the new model (P7700) has lost its viewfinder in the update. It's a great shame as these are serious cameras and a no viewfinder is a deal breaker for many people.

David

[Zoot]

Interesting view on the LCD screen issue.  My previous camera is an Olympus C5050Z - I still have it - and I mainly composed photographs through the LCD screen, using the viewfinder as necessary.  Composing the shot using the LCD screen is advantageous in that it allows you to frame the shot before taking it, with, generally, more detail than using the viewfinder.  When I bought my Olympus E-500, I had to revert to using the viewfinder only, so had to relearn that part of it, but it is quite easy to become familiar with both, in my experience.

[scoundrel1728]

With a zoom range that extreme, I can readily understand why they don't also have an optical "peephole" viewfinder.  Nevertheless, an electric viewfinder would have been useful in bright sunlight.  Holding the camera against the face also helps steady it as opposed to holding it out in front of you.  Being able to turn the main monitor off altogether also helps conserve the battery, even if you must use the EVF.  For those reasons, I insist on some kind of viewfinder besides the main monitor for cameras that I would use regularly.

[Chocky]

I also prefer a Vieu finder. I agree about the steadying  against your face as well.
Ihave to agree with all Scoundrel says here

[John B.]

I also prefer a Vieu finder. I agree about the steadying  against your face as well.
Ihave to agree with all Scoundrel says here

It seems that most people prefer a viewfinder. Anyone who has experienced trying to use a viewing screen in bright sunlight would know the problem. I'm told the camera manufacturers omit the viewfinder to keep their prices down, but I wonder how much it actually costs to include one.

I have a Nikon P&S and the screen is useless in sunlight. Fortunately, I have a loupe that I can use by holding it against the screen and using it like a viewfinder, but that loupe cost $80. Of course, I didn't buy it just for the little Nikon, but for my Nikon DSLR which, although it has a viewfinder, forces me to use the viewing screen when taking video.

[Chocky]

I have a Sony camcorder with only a screen viewer and some time it's imposable to see the subject. if it's a very sunny day and my camcorder with a view finder is so old it's 16:9 goes east-west and I have to go through several formats to get it back in to the aspect ratio
 
My Nikno P7S is  scean viewer only. It'ds just a pocket camera really 12.2  HD VR